>> Raise Hope for The Cids
Donation protected
This is dedicated to our mom and dad,
For the past year our mother has been seeking medical help due to her persistent lower back pain. It came about slowly then escalated quickly around June. She was referred from one specialist to the next, with countless MRIs, CTs, spinal epidurals and opioids. She was instructed to seek the help of physical therapy and to lose weight. The conclusion was that she had arthritis of the spine.
Our mother followed all the medical advice that was given to her by the many doctors. She went to physical therapy after ten hour work days, she visited more specialists than one can count and she lost 30 pounds all as instructed to no avail. For months my mother endured pain. (This was the hardest thing to witness, a woman so strong was brought to her knees). She continued to work as much as she could physically handle but many days were lost in bed as the pain was unbearable.
It was not until Thanksgiving that a new issue arose: double vision. Like the woman she is, she endured the double vision throughout Thanksgiving dinner because she didn’t want to ruin the holiday for anyone (such a mom move). The following day when the double vision had not subsided our father took her directly to the emergency room where they did a CT of her head. It was then that all the sirens went off and our family was struck with the biggest blow of them all; the CT showed lytic lesions throughout her skull and a mass at the base of her brain compressing a nerve (causing the double-vision). A CT of the chest and abdomen followed where more lesions were found throughout her ribs, the entirety of her spine, spots on her pelvic bone, sternum and clavicles. MRI’s showed spots on her liver and a mass on her adrenal gland. It was on November 24th that we found out our sweet, beautiful, perfect mother did not have arthritis at all... she has stage 4 metastatic cancer.
Fast forward a month and they've done every scan you can imagine to try and determine the source of this cancer. Two failed biopsies, blood work like it’s running out of style, multiple mammograms, pap smears, more CTs, MRI’s and endless appointments. We have yet to know the origin, which means we don't know what lies ahead nor do we know our treatment plan, if any. This leaves our family in a cruel waiting game. Waiting and hanging on to the hope that this is something treatable. A prognosis that will leave our mom by our side for years to come. Meanwhile, she continues to be a beacon of strength and love. Not once has she complained, she endures the pain so as to keep the family as ‘normal’ as possible. She keeps a smile on her face and her faith strong. Her strength is what keeps us all afloat.
If you have ever met our mother then you know the woman is a saint. She gets along with everyone she meets, any age group, any faith, any origin. She is selfless in her actions and pure in her thoughts. Her joy comes from others happiness. She is completely selfless! She has helped so many people in her life. Ironically enough, she has grown her hair out numerous times only to cut and donate it to Locks of Love. Everything she does is done with love. But now she needs our help. Both her and my father (and quite honestly my sister and myself) need all the prayers we can get.
Unfortunately, for the Cid family this has not been our sole tragedy, but an added hit to an already wounded group. Just two months ago, my fathers dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer which required an extensive and risky surgery. At 82 years old he underwent a whipple procedure and through the grace of God and an excellent physician it was a success! One that also required weeks in a rehabilitation facility to help gain strength for the chemotherapy that awaits him. While our grandfather was at the rehab facility, our grandmother was involved in a major car accident when she was on her way to see him. It’s left her with a totaled car, twelve rib fractures and a couple neck fractures that requires her to wear a C-collar for two months. The lively woman so many have come to know and love through various videos is now unable to even walk on her own. Hardship has even struck the animals in the family and just last week we found out our family dog has melanoma of the left eye. If we weren't living it, even we wouldn’t believe it.
As if medical issues weren't enough, our fathers job is moving locations leaving him overwhelmed with what may lie ahead. At 62, he is too young to retire but not young enough to move about in the workforce. Everyday he wakes up at 3am and drags himself to work but all he wants is to be home with his ‘hunny’. Their bond over the last 35+ years has been beautiful to witness and a blessing to be a part of. It has shaped us to who we are as a family, one that is not complete without the other. It wasn't until this horrible disease infiltrated our family that we see the incredible strength he has as a son, a husband, a father and overall man. We’re in awe of him every day and grateful for the love he shows all three of his girls. He is the best father we could ever be blessed with.
We know money can't solve our problems and that what lies ahead is greater then we understand. We also know that many have reached out asking how they can help. With medical bills pouring in on top of the normal living expenses and a uncertain work future... life is getting scary quickly. Even though they have lived by the mantra of 'saving for a rainy day,’ at 55 and 62 they would have never imagined this. None of us did.
We started this fundraiser to show them that even when life treats you unkindly, the world is filled with more good than evil. That people and their kind actions is what makes our world move in ways we don’t always see clearly. That people do care for them.
People who support them.
People who pray for them.
People who love them without even knowing them.
So if you can find it in your heart and budget to help us in any way possible, we are forever grateful to you. Be it $5, $10, $20 or whatever your can manage know that every penny counts and it’s going to a wonderful family who needs the help. As a community we can help them past these tough times. All donations raised will be deposited directly to their account and will help them pay for all these crazy medical bills. Every person that can help will play a role in their spirits and hope. My mother hangs on to the idea of going back to work and I hope one day she has that option. But for now all we want is for them to worry about one another and not financial hardship.
So please share this and lets give my parents a small miracle in the midst of all this sadness. We are so grateful to you.
Thank you,
Veronica & Christina Cid
For the past year our mother has been seeking medical help due to her persistent lower back pain. It came about slowly then escalated quickly around June. She was referred from one specialist to the next, with countless MRIs, CTs, spinal epidurals and opioids. She was instructed to seek the help of physical therapy and to lose weight. The conclusion was that she had arthritis of the spine.
Our mother followed all the medical advice that was given to her by the many doctors. She went to physical therapy after ten hour work days, she visited more specialists than one can count and she lost 30 pounds all as instructed to no avail. For months my mother endured pain. (This was the hardest thing to witness, a woman so strong was brought to her knees). She continued to work as much as she could physically handle but many days were lost in bed as the pain was unbearable.
It was not until Thanksgiving that a new issue arose: double vision. Like the woman she is, she endured the double vision throughout Thanksgiving dinner because she didn’t want to ruin the holiday for anyone (such a mom move). The following day when the double vision had not subsided our father took her directly to the emergency room where they did a CT of her head. It was then that all the sirens went off and our family was struck with the biggest blow of them all; the CT showed lytic lesions throughout her skull and a mass at the base of her brain compressing a nerve (causing the double-vision). A CT of the chest and abdomen followed where more lesions were found throughout her ribs, the entirety of her spine, spots on her pelvic bone, sternum and clavicles. MRI’s showed spots on her liver and a mass on her adrenal gland. It was on November 24th that we found out our sweet, beautiful, perfect mother did not have arthritis at all... she has stage 4 metastatic cancer.
Fast forward a month and they've done every scan you can imagine to try and determine the source of this cancer. Two failed biopsies, blood work like it’s running out of style, multiple mammograms, pap smears, more CTs, MRI’s and endless appointments. We have yet to know the origin, which means we don't know what lies ahead nor do we know our treatment plan, if any. This leaves our family in a cruel waiting game. Waiting and hanging on to the hope that this is something treatable. A prognosis that will leave our mom by our side for years to come. Meanwhile, she continues to be a beacon of strength and love. Not once has she complained, she endures the pain so as to keep the family as ‘normal’ as possible. She keeps a smile on her face and her faith strong. Her strength is what keeps us all afloat.
If you have ever met our mother then you know the woman is a saint. She gets along with everyone she meets, any age group, any faith, any origin. She is selfless in her actions and pure in her thoughts. Her joy comes from others happiness. She is completely selfless! She has helped so many people in her life. Ironically enough, she has grown her hair out numerous times only to cut and donate it to Locks of Love. Everything she does is done with love. But now she needs our help. Both her and my father (and quite honestly my sister and myself) need all the prayers we can get.
Unfortunately, for the Cid family this has not been our sole tragedy, but an added hit to an already wounded group. Just two months ago, my fathers dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer which required an extensive and risky surgery. At 82 years old he underwent a whipple procedure and through the grace of God and an excellent physician it was a success! One that also required weeks in a rehabilitation facility to help gain strength for the chemotherapy that awaits him. While our grandfather was at the rehab facility, our grandmother was involved in a major car accident when she was on her way to see him. It’s left her with a totaled car, twelve rib fractures and a couple neck fractures that requires her to wear a C-collar for two months. The lively woman so many have come to know and love through various videos is now unable to even walk on her own. Hardship has even struck the animals in the family and just last week we found out our family dog has melanoma of the left eye. If we weren't living it, even we wouldn’t believe it.
As if medical issues weren't enough, our fathers job is moving locations leaving him overwhelmed with what may lie ahead. At 62, he is too young to retire but not young enough to move about in the workforce. Everyday he wakes up at 3am and drags himself to work but all he wants is to be home with his ‘hunny’. Their bond over the last 35+ years has been beautiful to witness and a blessing to be a part of. It has shaped us to who we are as a family, one that is not complete without the other. It wasn't until this horrible disease infiltrated our family that we see the incredible strength he has as a son, a husband, a father and overall man. We’re in awe of him every day and grateful for the love he shows all three of his girls. He is the best father we could ever be blessed with.
We know money can't solve our problems and that what lies ahead is greater then we understand. We also know that many have reached out asking how they can help. With medical bills pouring in on top of the normal living expenses and a uncertain work future... life is getting scary quickly. Even though they have lived by the mantra of 'saving for a rainy day,’ at 55 and 62 they would have never imagined this. None of us did.
We started this fundraiser to show them that even when life treats you unkindly, the world is filled with more good than evil. That people and their kind actions is what makes our world move in ways we don’t always see clearly. That people do care for them.
People who support them.
People who pray for them.
People who love them without even knowing them.
So if you can find it in your heart and budget to help us in any way possible, we are forever grateful to you. Be it $5, $10, $20 or whatever your can manage know that every penny counts and it’s going to a wonderful family who needs the help. As a community we can help them past these tough times. All donations raised will be deposited directly to their account and will help them pay for all these crazy medical bills. Every person that can help will play a role in their spirits and hope. My mother hangs on to the idea of going back to work and I hope one day she has that option. But for now all we want is for them to worry about one another and not financial hardship.
So please share this and lets give my parents a small miracle in the midst of all this sadness. We are so grateful to you.
Thank you,
Veronica & Christina Cid
Fundraising team: Jackie's Angels (3)
Veronica Cid
Organizer
Tampa, FL
Christina Cid
Team member
Jill Bellofatto
Team member